Little Vampire's Diary
#5 in Mona The Vampire Series
on Goodreads (35)
What’s inside...
The diary of Mona, who is really a little vampire, shares her daily adventures with her vampire cat, Fang. The book includes interactive elements like vampire glasses to decipher secret coded messages, a 'dead bugs' project, touch-and-feel caterpillar guts and batwings, a slugs and centipedes board game, snake earrings, and a bat mobile. Plaxie Wishbone, also known as the Little Vampire, provides additional insights into her life, such as treasure maps, her school report on dead bugs, and Vampire Vision Glasses that reveal secret messages.
Discussion points
How do you think Little Vampire feels when he writes in his diary? Can you relate to any of his feelings?
Why do you think the Little Vampire chooses to share his thoughts in a diary instead of talking to someone?
What are some ways that Little Vampire shows kindness to his friends in the story?
How do the other characters react to Little Vampire's actions? What does this teach us about friendship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to put themselves in Little Vampire’s shoes and explore his emotions throughout the diary entries.
Highlight the importance of expressing feelings, whether through writing like Little Vampire or another form.
Discuss the value of privacy and respect for others' thoughts, as shown by the diary being a personal space for Little Vampire.
Use examples from the book to talk about consequences of actions and the importance of making thoughtful decisions in friendships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The Little Vampire learns to understand the feelings of others, even though they are different from his own experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the feelings of their peers and understand perspectives that differ from their own, fostering inclusive behavior.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The protagonist faces his fears of interacting with humans, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to confront their own fears and challenges, whether it's trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Despite initial prejudices, the Little Vampire forms deep bonds with human characters, showing the importance of looking beyond differences to form friendships.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to make friends in diverse settings, promoting social skills and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The Little Vampire uses creative solutions to navigate challenges throughout the diary entries.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of thinking creatively to solve problems, both academically and in their personal lives.